‘I still can’t believe it happened . . . I’m a very lucky woman, I survived’

Elaine pictured on holiday around six months after the crash

Published:09:32Updated:09:49Tuesday 22 December 2015

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Bin lorry crash survivor Elaine Morell recalls nothing of the horror accident in Glasgow city centre three days before Christmas last year.

The office worker from Kirkintilloch only remembers waking up in hospital the following day.

What Elaine does know though, is she wouldn’t have coped without the support of the many “incredible” people who have helped her on the long, difficult path to recovery.

Elaine (50) suffered serious injuries to her face and eye after the 26-ton truck careered into her and fellow shoppers in Queen Street on December 22. Six people lost their lives.

Since then, the mum-of-one has had two surgeries to rebuild her shattered face and is due to have another operation.

In an exclusive interview with the Herald on the first anniversary of the tragedy, Elaine said: “Even now, a year on, I can’t believe it happened to me. People were killed. I’m a hell of a lucky woman. I survived.”

The former St Ninian’s High School pupil continued: “The support from people has been overwhelming, so many I don’t even know. Mentally, it really helps you to heal. I just want to say thank you.”

Elaine said on the day of the tragedy she had decided to go Christmas shopping half an hour later as she thought the shops would be quieter. Her office overlooks the crash site.

She said: “I told my colleagues ‘I’m going shopping at 2.30pm’. I was heading down Queen Street and the next thing I remember is waking up in hospital. My facial injuries were very severe.

“It was all a bit surreal. I was thinking ‘why did I not see that coming towards me?’

“I was so lucky. I found out the passers-by who ran to help me were a trainee doctor and a nurse. They knew exactly what to do.”

Elaine said medical staff at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital were “amazing”.

She added: “My GP, Dr Murphy, has been great too. I have to get an operation next year. I hope it’s the last one.”